Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Suphal1401’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  cultivar named ‘Suphal1401’ which is characterized by small flowers with a large portion of the sepal and petal surfaces colored white and overlaid with both dark and light red-purple spots and blotches of irregular size and arrangement, a dark red-purple labellum with a cleft central lobe, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Phalaenopsis Blume.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Phalaenopsis disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘Suphal1401’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2014/3621, filed Dec. 30, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Phalaenopsis variety ‘Suphal1401’ is the result of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as a seedling from the crossing of the unpatented, proprietary seed parent Phalaenopsis Blume ‘G3S8’ with the unpatented, proprietary pollen parent Phalaenopsis Blume ‘B4P’. Both parents were developed by, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released. The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse in Chonburi, Thailand in November of 2005.

The new variety was first selected in October of 2008, in a research greenhouse in Chonburi, Thailand belonging to the inventor. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘Suphal1401’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Suphal1401’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in October of 2008 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Chonburi, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through four subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Suphal1401’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Suphal1401’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Suphal1401’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis cultivar:

-   -   1. Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1401’ exhibits white petals which are         contrasted by an irregular color pattern consisting of dark         red-purple spots and also blotches of colors ranging from dark         red-purple to violet-purple; and     -   2. Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1401’ exhibits white lateral sepals which         are broadly margined and occasionally dotted red-purple; and     -   3. Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1401’ exhibits a white dorsal sepal which         is irregularly margined and occasionally dotted red-purple and         further contrasted by a broad central stripe of red-purple; and     -   4. Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1401’ exhibits a dark red-purple labellum         with the central lobe cleft into two strongly incurved         projections; and     -   5. Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1401’ exhibits small flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘Suphal1401’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Zuidbroek, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 12 months old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in a 12 cm nursery container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘Suphal1401’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘Suphal1401’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in December of 2015 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 12 month-old ‘Suphal1401’ plants grown in 12 cm nursery pots at a greenhouse in Zuidbroek, the Netherlands. Temperatures ranged from approximately 28 degrees Celsius during the day and 18 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. During periods of high summer light levels, shade was provided. During the winter months supplemental light was given at unspecified amounts.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘Suphal1401’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘Suphal1401’ and comparisons with other varieties of Phalaenopsis are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial basal rosette with inflorescences growing from             the leaf axils; flowers are carried above the leaf plane.         -   Average height from base to top of foliar plane.—21.9 cm.         -   Average height from base to top of floral plane.—50.2 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 29.8 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Mericloning.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 21 days at approximately 28             degrees Celsius.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting/liner.—About 26 weeks at             approximately 18 to 28 degrees Celsius.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Similar to             other Phalaenopsis varieties.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Moderately dense rooting.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—16.8 cm long with a diameter of             0.5 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Green, near RHS 143C. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.         -   Number of primary stems per plant.—None; leaves form a basal             rosette.         -   Number of secondary branches per plant.—None. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Dimensions.—23.3 cm long and 9.1 cm wide, on average.         -   Shape of blade.—Oblong to long obovate; slightly carinate.         -   Aspect.—Slightly curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal acute.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—1.8 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, RHS 144B, and slightly darker             towards the base, RHS 144A.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and moderately glossy.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, near RHS             NN137A, to yellow-green, near RHS 147A. Juvenile foliage,             abaxial surface — Yellow-green, near RHS 146A, and tinged             greyed-purple, RHS N186C. Mature foliage, adaxial surface —             Green, near RHS 143A, to yellow-green, near RHS 146B yet             darker. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, near             RHS 146A, and tinged greyed-purple, RHS N186C.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Green, near RHS 143A, to             yellow-green, near RHS 146B yet darker.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Green, RHS 143A, and tinged             greyed-purple, RHS N186C.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present, leaves are sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 18; 6 open flowers and             12 buds.         -   Height.—Approximately 16.4 cm (measured from base of lowest             flower to top of upper flower).         -   Diameter.—Approximately 13.8 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 57.2 cm long and 0.6 cm             wide. Aspect — Approximately 60 degree angle to lateral             branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and             luster — Glabrous and moderately glossy. Color — Brown, near             RHS 200A yet darker. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 1.8 cm.         -   Horizontal diameter.—Average of 1.6 cm.         -   Vertical diameter.—Average of 1.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Broad obovate.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and             slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, near RHS 151C to 151D; base is heavily             tinged and blushed greyed-yellow, near RHS 185A and 185B;             apex is black, near RHS 203C. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Phalaenopsis.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderate.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum.         -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 6.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 8.3 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 2.8 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of petals — 3 unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.0 cm.             Width — Approximately 5.8 cm. Shape — Reniform. Apex —             Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Irregular, finely dentate;             no undulation to very little undulation. Pubescence, texture             and luster of upper surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte.             Pubescence, texture and luster of lower surface — Glabrous,             velvety and matte. Color when opening, upper surface —             White, near RHS NN155D; base is purple-violet, near RHS N80B             to N80C; apex is greyed-purple, near RHS N186B; entire petal             is irregularly dotted red-purple, RHS 59A to 59D. Color when             opening, lower surface — White, near RHS NN155A, and tinged             purple-violet, near RHS N80D yet lighter; base is purple,             near RHS N78B to N78C; apex is greyed-purple, near RHS             N186B. Color when fully opened, upper surface — White, near             RHS NN155D; base is slightly tinged purple, near RHS N78C to             N78D; apex is greyed-purple, near RHS N186C; entire petal is             irregularly dotted red-purple, RHS 71A. Color when fully             opened, lower surface — White, near RHS NN155C, and tinged             purple-violet, near RHS N78C to N78D, especially towards the             base; apex is greyed-purple, near RHS N186C. Fading, upper             surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading.             Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — White, near             RHS NN155D; base is slightly tinged purple, near RHS N78C to             N78D; apex is greyed-purple, near RHS N186C; entire petal is             irregularly dotted red-purple, RHS 71A. Venation color,             fully opened, lower surface — Purple-violet, near RHS N78C             to N78D.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; lateral lobes are near             orbicular and the central lobe is deltoid. Length — Central             lobe — Approximately 3.8 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately             2.0 cm. Width — Central lobe — Approximately 2.4 cm. Lateral             lobes — Approximately 1.9 cm. Apex — Central lobe — Cleft,             with tips curved upward. Lateral lobes — Obtuse. Base,             central and lateral lobes — Cuneate. Margin, central and             lateral lobes — Entire; central lobe slightly undulate and             lateral lobes not undulate. Pubescence, texture and luster             of upper surface — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Pubescence,             texture and luster of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety, and             matte. Color when opening, upper surface — Central lobe —             Red-purple, near RHS 59B and 60B, and lighter towards the             apex, near RHS 71B and 71C; base of the cleft area is white,             near RHS NN155D. Lateral lobes — Red-purple, near RHS 60A to             60B and 70A, and marbled white, RHS NN155A; base is             red-purple, near RHS 59A to 59B, with a small yellow dot on             the upper margin, near RHS 4B. Color when opening, lower             surface — Central lobe — Red-purple, near 61A, and purple             towards the apex, near RHS N78B and N78C; base of the cleft             area is white, near RHS NN155C. Lateral lobes — Purple, near             RHS N78C; base is white, RHS 155A, and marbled red-purple,             near RHS 60A, with a small yellow dot on the upper margin,             near RHS 4A. Color when fully opened, upper surface —             Central lobe — Red-purple, near RHS 59B and 60B, and lighter             towards the apex, near RHS 71 B and 71 C; base of the cleft             area is white, near RHS NN155D. Lateral lobes — Red-purple,             near RHS 60A to 60B and 72A, and marbled white, RHS NN155A;             base is red-purple, near RHS 59A to 59B, with a small yellow             dot on the upper margin, near RHS 4A. Color when fully             opened, lower surface — Central lobe — Red-purple, near 61A,             and purple towards the apex, near RHS N78B and N78C; base of             the cleft area is white, near RHS NN155C. Lateral lobes —             Purple, near RHS 77B; base is white, RHS NN155A to NN155B,             and marbled red-purple, near RHS 60A, with a small yellow             dot on the upper margin, near RHS 4A. Fading, upper surface             — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation             color, fully opened, upper surface — Central lobe —             Red-purple, near RHS 59B and 60B, and lighter towards the             apex, near RHS 71B and 71C; base of the cleft area is white,             near RHS NN155D. Lateral lobes — Red-purple, near RHS 60A to             60B and 72A, and marbled white, RHS NN155A; base is             red-purple, near RHS 59A to 59B, with a small yellow dot on             the upper margin, near RHS 4A. Venation color, fully opened,             lower surface — Central lobe — Red-purple, near 61A, and             purple towards the apex, near RHS N78B and N78C; base of the             cleft area is white, near RHS NN155C. Lateral lobes —             Purple, near RHS 77B; base is white, RHS NN155A to NN155B,             and marbled red-purple, near RHS 60A, with a small yellow             dot on the upper margin, near RHS 4A.         -   Callosities.—Location — Centrally placed on the base of the             central lobe of the labellum. Dimensions — Average of 0.5 cm             long and 0.6 cm wide. Color — Yellow, near RHS 11 B, and             heavily dotted greyed-purple, near RHS 185A.         -   Spurs.—None.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 4.0 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             4.0 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 3.2 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 2.8 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal —             Obovate. Lateral sepals — Elliptical to ovate. Apex — Dorsal             sepal — Obtuse. Lateral sepals — Broad acute. Base — Dorsal             sepal — Cuneate. Lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin, dorsal             and lateral sepals — Entire; no undulation. Pubescence,             texture and luster — Glabrous, velvety, and matte on both             the upper and lower sepal surfaces. Color when opening,             upper surface — Dorsal sepal — White, RHS NN155A, and             irregularly margined and occasionally dotted red-purple,             near RHS 59A; apex is greyed-purple, near N186C, to black,             near 202A. Lateral sepals — White, RHS NN155A, with the             lower half yellow, RHS 4D, and irregularly margined and             occasionally dotted red-purple, near RHS 59A; apex is             greyed-purple, near N186C, to black, near 202A. Color when             opening, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Greyed-yellow, near             RHS 160A to 160B and 162B, and margined greyed-purple, near             N186C, to black, near 202A. Lateral sepals — Greyed-yellow,             near RHS 160A to 160B and 162B, and margined greyed-purple,             near N186C, to black, near 202A; base tinged red-purple,             near RHS 60C. Color when fully opened, upper surface —             Dorsal sepal — White, RHS NN155D, and irregularly margined             and occasionally dotted red-purple, near RHS 64A; outer edge             and apex are greyed-purple, near N186C; sepal with a broad             central stripe of red-purple, RHS near 61A. Lateral sepals —             White, RHS NN155D, with the lower half slightly darker, near             RHS NN155B, and broadly margined and occasionally dotted             red-purple, near RHS 64A; outer edge and apex are             greyed-purple, near N186C. Color when fully opened, lower             surface — Dorsal and lateral sepals — White, near RHS             NN155D, and tinged purple, near RHS 75C and 75D, with a             greyed-yellow spot, near 160B and 160C, slightly above the             center; base strongly tinged red-purple, RHS N74C, and             margined greyed-purple, near RHS N186C; apex is             greyed-purple, near RHS N186C, to black, RHS 202A. Fading,             upper surface — The color of all sepals does not fade.             Fading, lower surface — The color of all sepals does not             fade. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal             sepal — White, RHS NN155D, and irregularly margined and             occasionally dotted red-purple, near RHS 64A; sepal with a             broad central stripe of red-purple, RHS near 61A. Lateral             sepals — White, RHS NN155D, with the lower half slightly             darker, near RHS NN155B, and broadly margined and             occasionally dotted red-purple, near RHS 64A. Venation             color, fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal and lateral             sepals — Red-purple, RHS N74B to N74C.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 3.9 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.3 cm. Angle — Approximately 50 degree angle             to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Pubescence, texture             and luster — Glabrous, smooth and glossy. Color — Purple,             near RHS 77C, and fading to greyed-orange, RHS 177B; brown,             RHS N200B and N200C, towards the proximal end.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One small bract present at the base of             each pedicel. Shape — Deltoid; folded around the base of             each pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 0.5 cm long and 0.55             cm wide. Apex — Acute. Base — Broad Cuneate. Margins —             Entire. Color, both surfaces — Greyed-purple, near RHS 183D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.8 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.7 cm. Color — White, RHS NN155D, and dotted             purple, RNS N78B to N78C.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior Diameter — Approximately 0.5 cm.             Color — Purple, near RHS 77C.         -   Pollinia color.—Orange RHS 26A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date.

Comparisons with the Parent Plants

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Suphal1401’ are similar to the seed parent, Phalaenopsis Blume ‘G3S8’, in most horticultural characteristics. However ‘Suphal1401’ differs from the seed parent in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘Suphal1401’ are larger than the flowers of         ‘G3S8’.     -   2. The flower color pattern of ‘Suphal1401’ differs from that of         ‘G3S8’.     -   3. The sepals and petals of ‘Suphal1401’ exhibit fewer color         spots when compared to the sepals and petals of ‘G3S8’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Suphal1401’ are similar to the pollen parent, Phalaenopsis Blume ‘B4P’, in most horticultural characteristics. However ‘Suphal1401’ differs from the pollen parent in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The flowers of ‘Suphal1401’ exhibit clearer and better color         when compared to the flowers of ‘B4P’.     -   2. The flower color pattern of ‘Suphal1401’ differs from that of         ‘B4P’.     -   3. The sepals and petals of ‘Suphal1401’ exhibit more color         spots when compared to the sepals and petals of ‘B4P’.

Comparison with the Most Similar Phalaenopsis Cultivar Known to the Inventor

‘Suphal1401’ is similar to the commercial variety Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1119’ (not patented in the United States; Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 34865) in many horticultural characteristics. However, ‘Suphal1401’ differs from ‘Suphal1119’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The petal color of ‘Suphal1401’ consists of both dark and         light purple spots and blotches of irregular size and         arrangement against a white background which is tinged light         violet, whereas the petal color pattern of ‘Suphal1119’ consists         of dark red-purple spots which are somewhat uniformly sized and         distributed across the petal against a white background.     -   2. The sepals and petals of ‘Suphal1401’ exhibit fewer color         spots when compared to the sepals and petals of ‘Suphal1119’.     -   3. The lateral sepal of ‘Suphal1401’ are shorter and more         rounded when compared to the lateral sepals of ‘Suphal1119’.     -   4. The dorsal sepal of ‘Suphal1401’ is shorter and more rounded         when compared to the dorsal sepal of ‘Suphal1119’.     -   5. The labellum of Phalaenopsis ‘Suphal1401’ exhibits a dark         red-purple general tonality, whereas ‘Suphal1119’ exhibits a         white labellum overlaid with a light red-purple color pattern         and yellow intonations near the base of each lobe. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Suphal1401’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 